Corn shaking his tail

[jejton]

I have a corn snake that is about 3 or 4 years old whom I adopted about 2 years ago. I dont handle him much but he usually allows me too as much as a snake will. He doesnt usually just allow me to grab him but once I do he is docile enough, never struck or anything. Lately I noticed a new behavior though. When I reach into his cage, as he is slithering around he starts vibrating his tail. I have read of certain snakes doing this as a defense. The idea is that the tail vibrating against leaf litter mimicks the sound of a rattler's tail. Has anyone experienced their corn doing this? Should I avoid handling him when he does this or should I gently handle him more often to get him more accustomed?

[The Snake Guru]

I wouldn't shy away from him when he does it.....you'll never get him calmed down that way.

But your right it is a defensive behavior and you should be a little more cautious, though I've found that they usually do it more when startled once you have them out of the cage they are usually fine.

~B~

[drec91]

yea ive had baby king snakes exhibit this behavior but never a corn. but im sure it is not an uncommon case.

[gonesnakee]

All baby colubrids do it (or can) as do many older ones as well. Its strickly defensive as mentioned. "Watch out I'm a big tough snake, don't mess with me!" Its usually all show, but some will strike as well, usually closed mouth strikes though. If you let them get away with it & don't handle them it encourages them to do it more often as they do not like being handled, so if tail shaking etc. prevents handling they will continue their "act". I try to make a point of handling a snake when it acts that way to prevent it from doing so more in the future. Mark

[Herpkid101x]

its just there way of saying leave me alone but its probably a bluff. my rat snakes used to do that all the time but they never bluffed OUCH!! lol

[blueskyangel]

My snow always does this but thankfully she is always bluffing .
I agree though I handle her more because of this behavior

[Dianne]

Many years ago in southern Ontario I went after a baby Garter Snake who went into a coil and strike pose and rattled his tail in the leaves. It DID sound like a rattler and, since there were Mississauga Rattlesnakes in that area, I DID stop to have a second look before I grabbed him so, as a defense, IT WORKS - LOL!

[gonesnakee]

Originally Posted by Dianne

Many years ago in southern Ontario I went after a baby Garter Snake who went into a coil and strike pose and rattled his tail in the leaves. It DID sound like a rattler and, since there were Mississauga Rattlesnakes in that area, I DID stop to have a second look before I grabbed him so, as a defense, IT WORKS - LOL!

Yep mimicry is a great defense. All those that use tail shaking mimicking rattlers & then there are all the Milks & tricolored kings out there mimicking Coral snakes. Mark

[PDXErik]

My white lip does this all the time. I put it back in it's enclosure and it runs away wiggling it's tail. More in a "This is a worm, be distracted while I run away" fashion.

[gonesnakee]

My womas will "wag" there tails when aggitated as well or when feeding sometimes. Females also do it when introduced to a male for breeding. Some snakes will also use their tails as "lures" using them to draw in prey. Mark

[twiztidjuggalo]

my jungle corn does that all the time then he strikes at me and usually bites me but it doesn't hurt but after i get him outta tha cage he is just fine

[gonesnakee]

Defensive instincts & mimicry. "I'm a big tough snake better leave me alone. Hear me rattle my tail I'm dangerous" LOL Mark